Being a Marketing major and minor in Graphic Design, I imagine each project as if it were to be used or seen in the real-world. I plan to incorporate my design and other artistic skills in the marketing and/or advertising industries.

When I took my first class as a Graphic Design minor, I thought I knew a lot about design. Little did I know that there were all these grids, rules, concepts, etc. When it came time to create illustrations or other introductory projects, I now realize that I only did the minimal and didn’t really evolve my ideas into other bigger and better ones.

One of my first works comes from the Type Is Sound Project. This project was when I first used Adobe Illustrator and I think I did a pretty good job. The end product for this project is a result of brainstorming, sketches, and iterations. That is why I think this piece is successful. I had a concept, ideas, and then execution. The assignment helped me grow as a designer because it was an introduction to the tools I would later use in more advanced ways and it also taught me how to get to that final product through concept processes.

In GDES I, it was time to apply our knowledge of design elements and principles, new knowledge of typography, and basic skills in Illustrator. The Artifact Map was a project that required the application of all of those new skills and knowledge. There is balance, line work, shapes, texture, and size. The assignment challenged me as a designer because it involved creating something simple that anyone can understand from something so complicated. One of the main issues I ran into was creating a map of Austin small enough for the other elements of the map (legend, copy, illustrations). The 360 Bridge was the source of this issue, but I solved the issue by placing pinpoints on each location that didn’t take up too much space outside the circle.

My pride and joy is the Auteur Commercial. To create great design, it is important to understand other aspects of creativity. Having a background in photography and a strong interest in film, I wanted to make sure that this piece was exactly what I wanted. Before shooting, some research had to conducted. This is how this project made me grow as a designer. Obtaining background information such as the meaning of the name influenced the concept for the commercial.

Design is something that I know will benefit me in my future as a creative marketer. Each project has taught me new skills and has given me new knowledge.